Global Contracts and Grants Manager

Background Information – Peace and Security Cluster

The UNOPS Peace and Security Cluster (PSC) is a principal service provider in the field of mine action with the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), UNDP, UNICEF, Governments of mine-affected countries and other mine action partners. It is led by the Director, who has overall authority and accountability for the performance PSC on behalf of its clients. The Director is responsible for administering and providing oversight of the day-to-day management of the Project Field offices, both according to the client requirements and in line with UNOPS rules and regulations.

Functional Responsibilities

• Reporting to the Portfolio Team Lead, the Global Contracts and Grant Manager will carry out the following tasks:
• Strategically position UNOPS PSC’s Contract and Grant management service line as a key element of value-add of UNOPS to its partners, anchored in best practices of mine action Quality Management (QM) and UNOPS excellence agenda; ensure quality service, compliance with UNOPS rules and minimize risk to the organization.
• Lead the development and global implementation of standard contract/grant management policies, procedures, templates and best practices, ensuring respect for UNOPS quality and compliance requirements such as health and safety standards; environmental standards; corporate social responsibility; and gender, diversity and inclusion.
• Design and strengthen the operational risk management and internal control processes of PSC in areas related to Contract and Grant management.
• Provide advice to Project Managers to ensure contracts and grants are managed and monitored in accordance with developed standards; provide hands-on support to Project Managers to troubleshoot high risks and issues with contractors/grantees.
• Collect and analyze data at the global level through the management of the Contract Management Tool, Third Party Dashboards and Supplier Performance Evaluation functionality in oneUNOPS; coordinate timely and accurate data inputs from respective Programme to ensure reliability of the above-mentioned PSC and Corporate tools.
• Act as PSC’s Global Focal Point for matters related to contract and grant management including but not limited to global meeting requests from key PSC contractors/grantees on all contract/grant management issues, including ad hoc requests/requirements from UNMAS, Audits, PSC Senior Management, UNOPS HQ, etc.
• Organize and lead internal and external periodic reviews of contracts and grants.
• Build and manage a “Contract and Grant Support Management Network” to facilitate knowledge sharing and support the implementation of the PSC’s contract and grant management systems. Specifically:
  • develop standard ToRs for Contract and Grant Management Specialists and focal points in the field;
  • participate in recruitment and talent management;
  • deliver training;
  • foster communication and implementation of best practices and standardization of approaches among Contract and Grant Support Management Specialists (and related functions) in the field;
  • facilitate discussions/dialogue at a global level to proactively address issues, gather feedback and identify trends/recurring issues that can inform future contracts/grants;
  • coordinate with UNOPS PSC Procurement Team (PROT), Technical Support Team (TST) and Portfolio Teams to feed in lessons learned and make recommendations for future tender/solicitation processes.
• Advise on issues arising during the drafting of agreements to the implementation of contracts/grants.
• Liaise with in-house UNOPS legal, procurement and other subject matter experts on contractual disputes, termination, application of standard deductions/liquidated damages, incorporation of non-standard agreement clauses, etc.
• Depending on the complexity of matters identified, directly lead or support PSC’s Senior Management team, Field Programme focal points, or the Portfolio Team, on contract and grant negotiations or disputes.

Competencies

• Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization.
• Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.
• Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.
• Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).
• Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.
• Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.
• Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.
• Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Education

• Advanced university degree (master or equivalent) with seven years of relevant experience

OR

• First level university degree (bachelor or equivalent) with nine years of relevant experience

Experience

• Relevant experience is defined as project management experience in a humanitarian, development or post-conflict setting.
• Three years of experience managing, administering or reviewing contracts or grants in a development, humanitarian, or post-conflict setting is required.
• Experience specifically in a mine action context is desired.

Languages

• Fluency in English (read, write, speak) is required

Contract type, level and duration

• Contract type: Individual Contractor Agreement (ICA) Retainer
• Contract level: ICS-11 (P4 equivalent; IICA-3 equivalent; LICA-11 equivalent)
• Contract duration: Ongoing, subject to organizational requirements and funds availability

For more details about United Nations staff contracts, please follow this link: https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/UN-Staff-Contracts.aspx

For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link: https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx

Background Information – UNOPS

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.